1. FY 2019 VERA/VSIP Opportunity
National Capital Region Medical Directorate
(NCR-MD)
CHRC Briefing
May 2019
Welcome to the 2018 VERA/VSIP briefing. We will provide an overview of what VERA/VSIP is, Timelines, Calculations, & ABC Contact Information.

2. What is VERA/VSIP?
Voluntary Early Retirement Authority (VERA) and Voluntary Separation Incentive Pay (VSIP) are workforce reshaping flexibilities for the civilian workforce
Civilian employees who apply and are approved can retire earlier than normal and receive a monetary incentive

3. Voluntary Early Retirement Authority
What is VERA?
Voluntary Early Retirement Authority
Temporarily lowers the age and service requirements for retirement to increase the number of employees who are eligible
VERA Approval
The approval process will follow the Chain of Command structure
Decisions are made based on the restructuring options for the employee’s position
**Age is discussed on next slide. Chain of Command is Immediate Supervisor (Department Head), Department Head (Director), MTF Center Director, CHRC, NCR-MD, and finally DHA for approval.

4. Who is eligible for VERA?
Must meet age and service requirements
At least 50 years of age and 20 years of creditable service, or
Any age with at least 25 years of creditable service
Must be a U.S. citizen
Must be on a permanent appointment (Serving under an appointment without time limitation)
Must have been continuously employed within the Department of Defense for more than 30 days as of 2 June 2019
If employees are approved for VERA
Must voluntarily retire
Retention incentive (if applicable) will be terminated if VERA/VISP is approved/approval letters from NCR-MD have been issued (6 September 2019)
There are specific requirements that must be met as indicated on this slide. You must submit your application before COB 23 Feb 2018.

5. Who is NOT eligible to apply for VERA?
Currently under a service agreement, including relocation or recruitment incentives
Reemployed Annuitant
Eligible for disability retirement under any Federal Employee Retirement Systems
Have received a decision notice of involuntary separation for misconduct or unacceptable performance
These are the 4 categories that are not eligible for VERA. If you have any questions on this, feel free to contact our office.

6. Voluntary Separation Incentive Pay
What is VSIP?
Voluntary Separation Incentive Pay
Commonly known as a “buyout” -- a management tool designed to encourage employees to voluntarily separate, either by retirement or resignation
Not an employee entitlement
VSIP Approval
The approval process will follow the Chain of Command structure
Decisions are made based on the restructuring options for the position
Positions cannot be filled as the same position – must be abolished or restructured
VSIP is Voluntary Separation Incentive Pay. You must meet certain criteria to be eligible that we will discuss on the next slide.
Again, Chain of Command is Immediate Supervisor (Department head), Department Head (Director), MTF Center Director, CHRC, NCR-MD, and finally DHA for approval.
If approved for VSIP there are certain requirements that will prevent you from returning to federal service that we will discuss later.

7. Who is eligible to receive VSIP?
Must be a U.S. citizen
Must be on a permanent appointment (serving under an appointment without time limitation)
Must have been continuously employed by the DoD for 12 months
If employees are approved for VSIP
Must voluntarily retire or resign
and
Retention incentive (if applicable) will be terminated if VERA/VISP is approved/approval letters from NCR-MD have been issued (6 September 2019)
Here are the requirements for VSIP eligibility. Please note the difference between VERAs requirements of 31 day vs. VSIP 12 months continuous employment. Please remember that these two programs are different in their requirements. You cannot lump them together.

8. Who is NOT eligible to apply for VSIP?
Reemployed Annuitants
Is eligible for disability retirement;
Have received a decision notice of involuntary separation for misconduct or poor performance;
Previously received any VSIP from the Federal Government;
Currently on a service agreement related to receiving Student Loan Repayment, Recruitment/Relocation Incentive.
There are the 5 categories that are not eligible for VSIP . If you have any questions on this, feel free to contact our office.

9. VSIP consideration on Case by Case Basis? (Continued)
Typically, the following positions designated by DoD and the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) as severe shortage of candidates, critical hire, and/or mission critical are not eligible. However, applications will be considered on a case by case basis.
In addition to the 5 categories mentioned previously, there are certain positions as identified in this slide that may not be included in this VERA/VSIP programs, due to shortage of candidates, critical hire and/or being identified as mission critical. However, we encourage you to apply.
Note to Instructor: Read a few series as an example.
Skill Type 3
Skill Type 4
Skill Type 5
610-Nurses
647-Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist
649-Medical Instrument Technicians
645-Medical Technicians
644-Medical Technologists
621-Nursing Assistants
661-Pharmacy Technicians
620-Practical Nurses
181-Psychology Technicians
690-Industrial Hygienists
2210-Information Technology Management
(Information Security only)

10. VSIP Personnel Action and Payment
Employees accepting a VSIP buyout must sign an agreement statement
Confirming the voluntary nature of the action, and
Indicating an understanding of the reemployment restrictions, and
Identifying the incentive payment terms (How you want to receive the VSIP)
Employees have three options for payment
In a lump-sum payment up to $40,000 (before taxes)
In bi-weekly payments in equal amounts at a rate selected by the employee
Receive one half of the buyout 6 months following the separation and the remaining half 6 months later
If approved, separate instructions will be ed on options in payout. Be mindful of any timelines/suspense dates indicated.

11. How is VSIP calculated?
VSIP pay is calculated based on length of service and age of the employee (similar to severance pay).
Employees can use the severance pay calculator to determine the approximate VSIP amount. The calculator is available at
The amount the employee actually receives is less than the amount determined using the calculator because of the deduction of taxes, including Federal, state, social security, and Medicare, as appropriate.
The method of calculating VSIP is the same method used for severance pay. Severance pay is the amount of money an eligible employee would receive if being separated such as through Reduction in Force. Age adjustment allowance is augmented 10 percent of the basic allowance for each year that you exceed age 40 at the time of your separation. A severance pay calculator is available in EBIS in ABC-C’s web site which is listed above and on the last two slides. ABC-C – it is easy to use and you will see the immediate amount of the calculation.

12. Sample Severance Pay Calculation Results for VSIP
EMPLOYEE A
Total Salary: $63,673
Date of Separation: 04/30/2012
Date of Birth: /26/1979
Service at Separation: 13 Years, 7mos
Age at Separation: 32 Years, 6mos
Weekly Basic Pay: $1,220.37
Summary:
Basic Severance Allowance: $20,746.29
Age Adjustment Allowance: $0.00
Total Severance Pay: $20,746.29
(Maximum VSIP $20,746)
EMPLOYEE B
Total Salary: $73,619
Date of Separation: 04/30/2012
Date of Birth: 05/31/1950
Service at Separation: 26 Years
Age at Separation: 51 Years, 11mos
Weekly Basic Pay: $1,
Summary:
Basic Severance Allowance: $59,262.00
Age Adjustment Allowance: $80,709.20
Total Severance Pay: $80,746.29
(Maximum VSIP $40,000)
This is a sample of calculated severance pay. Notice that employee A is only receiving $20,000 VSIP where as employee B is granted $40,000. Age and service at separation (as identified on this slide) can impact this.

13. Can I return back to work if I accept VERA and/or VSIP?
If you retire on VERA authority without a VSIP buyout
You may return immediately to the Federal Government as a re-employed annuitant; or
You may accept a non-appropriated fund position, or
You may work as a contractor
If you accept a VSIP buyout
And later accept employment for compensation with the Government of the United States within 5 years of the date of the separation, including work under a personal services contract or other direct contract, you must repay the entire amount of the VSIP to the agency that paid it - before the individual's first day of reemployment
You may return to any federal agency after 5 years without having to pay back any VSIP buyout amount received
And were a DoD employee at the time of acceptance, you may not be reemployed by the Department of Defense for 12 months after separation.
VSIP Employment Restrictions
Employees are restricted from working for DoD for 12 months. Employment in any Federal agency within 5 years will require you to pay back the money.

14. Commencement Date of Annuity for Retirement
Effective date of voluntary option and early retirement for both CSRS and FERS employees is 30 Sep 2019
Annuity begins to accrue the following day, to be paid 6 to 8 weeks after your retirement date
Submit paperwork for retirement at the same time as the application for VERA/VSIP
The Army Benefits Center-Civilian (ABC-C) needs enough time to review and process
If application for VERA/VSIP is not approved, applicant can withdraw application from ABC-C
Log in to EBIS to obtain retirement estimate – link is at
Retirement paperwork must be submitted at the same time as your application for VERA/VSIP, which is COB 23 Feb The retirement application is more detailed and longer than the VERA/VSIP applications. Employee has until 27 Apr 2018 to withdraw retirement application from ABC-C. Note: If approved for VERA/VSIP you must be off the rolls by 31 May 2018.

15. ABC-C – Contact Information
NCR-MD employees are serviced by the Army Benefits Center – Civilian (ABC-C) in Fort Riley, Kansas
ABC-C website:
Toll-free telephone number is
Toll-free TDD for the hearing impaired is
ABC-C is available to those without computer access
EBIS requires use of .mil domain computer (CAC access), SSN and PIN
You don’t have to write down this information —These slides will be posted to CAPMED website. Reminder: EBIS can be found on the ABC-C website (identified above) in the upper right hand corner of the home page.

16. NCR-MD FY 19 VERA/VSIP Timeline
13 May – 31 May 2019 – CHRC Conduct Town Hall Briefings
3 Jun – 21 Jun Open Window for employees to apply for VERA or VSIP; verify retirement eligibility and complete part 1 of application to submit to Department Head
24 Jun – 12 Jul 2019 – MTFs/Center completes Parts 2-4 of application; recommends approval/disapproval of applications
15 Jul – 26 Jul CHRC completes Part 5 of application
29 Jul – 9 Aug 2019 – NCR-MD completes Part 6 of application; submits to DHA
12 Aug – 23 Aug 2019 (approx) - Director, DHA makes final decision
NLT 6 Sep Employees who applied will be notified by letter
NLT 30 Sep Employees approved for VERA and/or VSIP must be off the roles by this date
Restructured positions must begin recruitment process NLT 60 days (30 November 2019) after effective date of employee coming off the roles.

17. What the Employee Needs to Do
Action
Instruction
Timeframe
Confirm your eligibility for VERA/VSIP
Confirm you meet the age and service requirements
Confirm you meet the requirements listed on the VERA/VSIP application
Contact your HRL representative or the CHRC with further questions
NLT 21 Jun 2019
Fill out and submit VERA/VSIP application
Download the application
Fill out Part 1 of the VERA/VSIP application
Submit to your Department Head
3. Fill out ABC-C paperwork
Download the ABC-C application at
Complete and turn in retirement paperwork to ABC-C
If Approved…
4. Receive Letter of Approval from NCR-MD
You will receive a letter confirming your approval for VSIP and/or VERA
NLT 06 Sep 2019
5. Submit final ABC-C application with Letter of Approval from NCR-MD
Send ABC-C a copy of your Letter of Approval
Send ABC-C your retirement paperwork if you haven’t already done so
NLT 09 Sep 2019
6a. Submit DD2903 to CHRC
6b. Submit returned/verified DD2903 from CHRC to ABC-C
Complete DD2903 form (if approved for VSIP) send to CHRC for signature at:
Once CHRC-RI has verified, signed and returned DDD2903 to employee. employee MUST add their social security number and written initials to DD2903 then send document to ABC-C
NLT 13 Sep 2019
7. Request of Personnel Actions (RPA)
ABC-C will initiate the retirement RPAs
If NOT approved…
Withdraw retirement paperwork from ABC-C
Contact your Department Head for questions
If ABC-C confirms eligibility…
8. Contact HRL
Contact HRL representative to begin out-processing
NLT 30 Sep 2019
If NOT found eligible…
Contact the CHRC for questions

18. References VSIP Authority VERA Authority 5 U.S.C. 3521 5 CFR Part 576
VERA Authority
5 U.S.C. 8336(d)(2)(D) for CSRS
5 U.S.C. 8414(b)(1)(B) for FERS
5 CFR Part for CSRS
5 CFR Part for FERS

19. Questions? NCR-MD VERA/VSIP Application and Information link:
For further information, please contact your VERA/VSIP POC:
For FBCH & DLTC(Pentagon)
For WRNMMC, IRMAC, & JPC